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Teachers' union backs regional pay battle Teachers' union backs regional pay battle
(about 2 hours later)
By Angela Harrison Education correspondent, BBC NewsBy Angela Harrison Education correspondent, BBC News
One of the biggest teaching unions has voted to join other unions to challenge any government attempts to introduce regional pay for UK public sector workers.One of the biggest teaching unions has voted to join other unions to challenge any government attempts to introduce regional pay for UK public sector workers.
At its annual conference in Torquay, the National Union of Teachers voted to ballot for strike action if any firm plans are brought in.At its annual conference in Torquay, the National Union of Teachers voted to ballot for strike action if any firm plans are brought in.
Education Secretary Michael Gove has asked the body which advises the government on teachers' pay to look at the issue. Education Secretary Michael Gove has asked the body which advises ministers on teachers' pay to look at the issue.
Officials say any changes are distant.Officials say any changes are distant.
Chancellor George Osborne raised the issue before the Budget, prompting widescale criticism from public sector unions. Over the Easter weekend, the NUT and the other big teaching union - the NASUWT - backed plans to escalate their campaigns on pension cuts and pay and changes such as the government's academies and free school programme in England.
Teachers, like many other public sector workers in the UK, have nationally agreed rates of pay. Strikes are likely next term and in the autumn, with teaching unions aiming to join other unions in national protests.
The chancellor suggested public sector workers could be paid a rate which was in line with local levels and this might stimulate the private sector. The issue of regional pay was first raised by Chancellor George Osborne, prompting widescale criticism from public sector unions.
Teachers, like many other public sector workers in the UK, have nationally agreed rates of pay, so that teachers on a similar grade in different parts of the country earn roughly the same, although those teaching in London earn more through "London weighting".
The chancellor suggested public sector workers could be paid a rate which was in line with local levels, saying this might stimulate the private sector.
CampaignCampaign
In Torquay, NUT delegates agreed its leaders should submit a resolution or amendment to the TUC's conference this autumn to develop "maximum unity against any measures to introduce local pay and attacks on pensions". In Torquay, NUT delegates agreed its leaders should put a resolution or amendment to the TUC's conference this autumn to develop "maximum unity against any measures to introduce local pay and attacks on pensions".
NUT deputy general secretary Kevin Courtney said the union believed that teaching was a national profession and should have national pay rates.NUT deputy general secretary Kevin Courtney said the union believed that teaching was a national profession and should have national pay rates.
"Pay rates in different parts of the country would be very bad for the economy," he said."Pay rates in different parts of the country would be very bad for the economy," he said.
"This is about our preparation for a campaign if the government does go down this route.""This is about our preparation for a campaign if the government does go down this route."
Officials at the Department for Education say the chancellor has asked all government departments with large public sector workforces to look at the possibility of introducing regional pay rates. On the conference floor, delegate Gawain Little, from Oxfordshire, said: "This government has a strategy, a strategy to drive down pay, undermine our terms and conditions and to break up our education system.
Talk of industrial action would be premature, they said. "The move to impose localised pay is a necessary step towards the fragmentation and privatisation of our education system. As such it is inextricably linked to the assault on our pensions, the aggressive promotion of academies and free schools and the dismantling of local authorities."
A spokesman told the BBC the examination of this issue was "a big piece of work" and that any decisions were "a long way off". 'Market-facing pay'
"The aim would be to to make sure that we would be able to retain and attract teachers," he said. The NUT represents teachers in England and Wales, but says it will work with other teaching and non-teaching unions around the UK to fight the introduction of regional pay.
"It would have to be competitive." Mr Gove has written to the body which advises the government on teachers' salaries in England and Wales - the School Teachers Review Body (STRB).
In his letter, from late February, he asked for advice on "how to make pay more market-facing for teachers" in local areas.
He also asked what other reforms should be made "to pay and conditions ..to raise the status of the profession and best support the recruitment and retention of high quality teachers in all schools".
Like many other public sector workers, teachers have a two-year pay freeze.
An official at the Department for Education said the chancellor had asked all government departments with large public sector workforces to look at the possibility of introducing regional pay rates.
Talk of industrial action would be premature, he said, as any decisions were "a long way off".
"The aim would be to to make sure that we would be able to retain and attract teachers," he added.
"It would have to be competitive.
"We've specifically asked how any changes would work; how it could still keep quality of teachers and new recruits high; and whether it would apply to existing teachers or just to new entrants."
The STRB will report back in September.